Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Physicians, Pathologists Salary in Pennsylvania: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Physicians, Pathologists salary really buy you in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$413,370
Median annual (2025)
+4.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$429,698
COL-adjusted (RPP=96.2)

Pennsylvania Cost of Living Index

Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Physicians, Pathologists earning $413,370 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $429,698 in an average-cost US state.

PA: 96.2
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $187,010 $194,397 +$7,387
25th Percentile (P25) $298,970 $310,779 +$11,809
Median (P50) $413,370 $429,698 +$16,328
75th Percentile (P75) $455,420 $473,409 +$17,989
90th Percentile (P90) $455,420 $473,409 +$17,989
Key Insight

A Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania earns $413,370 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $429,698 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Pennsylvania Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 96.2

With an RPP of 96.2, Pennsylvania is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Physicians, Pathologists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+4.0%

After applying Pennsylvania's RPP, the $413,370 median salary translates to $429,699 in real terms — a 4.0% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Physicians, Pathologists.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Pennsylvania

#2 / 33

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Physicians, Pathologists, Pennsylvania places #2 of 33 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Physicians, Pathologists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physicians, Pathologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$448,508
RPP 89.2
$429,698
RPP 96.2
3. Nevada
$398,703
RPP 96.4
$376,870
RPP 101.3
$370,798
RPP 97.7
6. Indiana
$370,697
RPP 91.8
7. Iowa
$365,904
RPP 88.4
$362,852
RPP 89.4
$357,939
RPP 88.8
10. Texas
$354,697
RPP 97.5

Pennsylvania ranks #2 out of 33 states for Physicians, Pathologists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Physicians, Pathologists take-home pay in Pennsylvania after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania after cost of living?

A Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $413,370 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $429,698 — a +4.0% difference.

Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?

Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania: $413,370 x (100 / 96.2) = $429,698. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Physicians, Pathologists in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy